Malpass v. Morgan

Edgar M. Morgan, Jr., filed in the trial court a petition seeking the adoption and change of name of his stepson, then six years of age. Linda Bloodworth Malpass Morgan, Morgan’s wife and the natural mother of the child, joined in the petition to indicate her consent. William Don Malpass, the natural father of the child, was given notice of the petition, and he filed an answer objecting to the adoption. The trial court, after hearing evidence, ruled that the father’s consent to the adoption was withheld contrary to the best interests of the child. A final order was entered allowing the…